STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 07-128 Establishing the Florida Governor s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change WHEREAS, Florida has one of the nation s fastest growing populations with an average of 980 new residents arriving per day and approximately 84.6 million visitors per year; and WHEREAS, as the fourth most populous state, Florida ranks third nationally in total energy consumption; and WHEREAS, more than 70 percent of Florida s electricity is generated by fossil fuels which contribute to the state s carbon emissions; and WHEREAS, Florida is encouraging alternative energy generation to promote energy diversity and reduce pollution; and WHEREAS, with nearly 1,350 miles of coastline and a majority of citizens living near that coastline, Florida is more vulnerable to rising ocean levels and violent weather than any other state; and
WHEREAS, the potential impacts of climate change could significantly impact Florida s businesses, public infrastructure and disturb the way of life enjoyed by millions of Floridians; and WHEREAS, global climate change is one of the most important issues facing Florida this century; and WHEREAS, the actions Florida takes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in concert with actions taken elsewhere in the United States and the world, could significantly reduce the potential for adverse impacts in Florida; and WHEREAS, Florida, together with international leaders and experts, is hosting the Serve to Conserve Climate Change Summit on July 12 and 13, 2007 in Miami, Florida; NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, in obedience to my solemn constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, do hereby promulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect: Section 1. I hereby create the Florida Governor s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change to develop a comprehensive Energy and Climate Change Action Plan that will fully achieve or surpass Executive Order targets for statewide greenhouse gas reductions specified in Executive Order 07-127. Action Team members shall be
gubernatorial appointees representing diverse expertise and stakeholder interests including, but not limited to, consumers, environment, business, industry, energy, state and local government, and academia. The Action Team shall hold its first meeting within 30 days of appointment. Section 2. I hereby order the preparation of the Florida Energy and Climate Change Action Plan be guided by an evaluation of the possible consequences to Florida's environment, economy, and society from global climate change. The Florida Energy and Climate Change Action Plan shall include policy recommendations and necessary changes to existing law. The Florida Energy and Climate Change Action Plan shall be completed in two phases. Phase I: By November 1, 2007, the Action Team shall issue recommendations including any necessary legislative initiatives to address the following: 1. Strategies and mechanisms for the consolidation and coordination of energy policy in Florida; 2. Additional greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies beyond those directed in Executive Order 07-127, as well as an overall blueprint for development of actions; 3. Policies to enhance energy efficiency and conservation, including statewide targets; 4. Market-based regulatory mechanisms, such as cap and trade programs, for use in efficiently reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
5. Strategies to diversify Florida s electric generation fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect Florida s consumers from fuel price volatility; 6. Policies for emission reporting and registry that measure and document emission reductions; 7. Strategies for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles; 8. Strategies for increasing the amount of renewable transportation fuels and for reducing the carbon content of fuels, such as a low carbon fuel standard; 9. Policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from state and local governments not addressed in Executive Order 07-126; 10. Policies to reward early emission reductions in advance of statewide or national greenhouse gas regulatory programs; and 11. Other policies for efficiently reducing emissions in Florida in conjunction with, or independent of regional, national, or international agreements. Phase II: By October 1, 2008, the Action Team shall issue recommendations including any necessary legislative initiatives to address the following: 1. Adaptation strategies to combat adverse impacts to society, public health, the economy, and natural communities in Florida; 2. Policies to reduce the increases in greenhouse gas emissions from new growth; 3. Carbon capture and storage technologies;
4. Land use and management policies that improve the long-term storage of carbon in Florida s biomass; 5. Strategic investments and public-private partnerships in Florida to spur economic development around climate-friendly industries and economic activity that reduces emissions in Florida; and 6. Strategies and mechanisms for the long-term coordination of Florida s public policy in the areas of economic development, university-based research and technology development, energy, environmental protection, natural resource management, growth management, transportation, and other areas as needed to assure a future of prosperity for Floridians in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Section 3. The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection shall direct the professional staffing and assistance required by the Action Team in completing the Florida Energy and Climate Action Plan. The Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Transportation shall provide staff and consultants, as required by the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. The Public Service Commission and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are requested to provide assistance as required by the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. Section 4. Action Team members shall not be compensated for their services or reimbursed for travel or per diem expenses. Public officers and employees shall be reimbursed by their respective agencies in accordance with chapter 112, Florida Statutes.
Section 5. Public access to records generated by the Action Team and any technical advisory committees deemed necessary in furtherance of this order shall be governed by the Public Records Laws of Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. All meetings of the Action Team shall be governed by the Open Meetings Laws of Chapter 286, Florida Statutes. Section 6. The Department of Environmental Protection shall provide administrative support necessary to implement the provisions of this Executive Order. All state agencies under the direction of the Governor are hereby directed, and all other state agencies are hereby requested to assist those carrying out the directions in this Executive Order. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Miami this 13 th day of July, 2007. GOVERNOR ATTEST: SECRETARY OF STATE